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Show north cHurch B4 Life THURSDAY, - While a SALT LAKE CITY Salt Lake Valley couple hold no malice toward the LDS Church, they say they're grateful for the help the St. Chad's Society gave them in transitioning" from the Mormon Church to a Salt Lake County Episcopal congregation. John and Nancy both had different reasons for leaving Mormonism. For John, it was "a mixture of doctrinal issues, more kind of a worship setting, needing a place to be fed spiritually. I didn't feel the ward was feeding, he said adding, "it w asn't necessarily their fault"' ' The issue of polygamy, and not learning that Joseph Smith himself except from outside sources, bothered both. "1 was a returned missionary of two or three years before I knew that. I went to seminary, church all the time. If there's nothing to hide, it seemed a little bit of frankness and honesty is lacking to their approach to education. John added that after being inactive (or less active,' the politically correct term) for some time, I decided out of the blue to go to the Episcopal Church. Here all of a sudden I felt the practiced it spirit. That's not supposed to happen in the sectarian world. Here are people using laying on of hands of healing, the church has a bishop, priest, deacons, all of those things you are led to believe are the exclusive domain of the LDS Church." ' Nancy remained active in the LDS Church, serving in various capacities, including Young Women's president. "I loved being YW president, love involvement with the youth. That is of the great strengths of the Mormon Church, what it offers the youth. But she had similar problems with issues that she said weren't discussed in church about the past, such as Smith's polygamy. And she had doubts about the women's role." particularly after her son was born. When I was Mormon, I always thought it was silly to complain about not having the priesthood until I had a child Then my view changed dramatically. Pretty quickly after we had our son, John was almost totally inactive. If our child gets sick, I'm a person of devout faith, why can't I lay my hands on his head and give him a blessing. This is my child. She said a breaking point came while reading her husband's grandmothers memoirs. The woman, who was a black and white Mormon, wrote of two faithful LDS women, midwives, who gave her a blessing by the laying on of hands, "specifically concerning child birth, gave promises that all would be bom safely and in good health. She talks about the spirit that was present. It was very touching. All of her 10 children, bom in a rural setting in the early 1900s, were bom in good health. The prophecy was fulfilled. It was part of a tradition in Mormonism that survived in the rural areas longer than anywhere else. It w asn't an offshoot group, just in the context of normal LDS Church activity: She added that perhaps the Mormon Church, which seems more and more progressive, maybe will give that back (some sort of priesthood power to women) in the next 50 years, like giving Blacks the priesthood Both John and Nancy said they like the worship service in the Episcopal tradition. Nancy spoke of "some things really delightful that had been missing in my Mormon experience. For me. having symbols and pageantry, and broader ways to worship were attractive. One of the first services I went to, there was a liturgical dance. I grew up dancing, to see it used in worship. To me they (Episcopal Church) really enhance my ability to connect with God," from the choir wearing different colored robes reflecting the season, the ability to focus on the cross, to the whole Holy Week leading up to Easter I found so amazing. because both the somber death and glorious resurrection are observed in different services. John admits there were times of great guilt over leaving the LDS church. His father is now a stake patriarch, was stake president while he was growing up. And Nancy says there are some that things although not many she misses about not being Mormon, from the lack of a close neighborhood togetherness equated with the LDS ward, to experiences at girls' camp and some aspects of her mission to Missouri. The couple are both involved as youth teachers, while John is on a ' church lay council, and are both enrolled in an intensive course Of study. They have been confirmed members of the church. I think there's a lot of polarizing that happens in Utah that doesn't S need to, she adds of sentiments. I absolutely consider them Christian. Christianity really has to do with how you follow the teachings of Christ. The couple emphasized they hold no malice toward the church or its members. Author finds writing personal history for another can be tough going ; J BY QUIG NIELSEN Clipper Correspondent dont be surprised if he continues run- - "Run and Not BOUNTIFUL Be Weary" is the title of a new book J spelling out the life of former Bountiful resident. :'old t LaGrand Nielsen, a widely recognized 92-ye- long-distan- runner. If you're looking for an inviting and mesmerizing side job, may I you try WTiting the personal memoirs for a member of your family ! and friend. i I'd written my own personal histo-- ! ry so I felt it would be no big deal to write LeGrand's. V "hat a rude awak- ening! I battled through to its publica- tion and I must give credit to two fas-- i LaGrand and cinating entities DMT Publishing in North Salt Lake. LaGrand and his family thought ; the title for the book was perfect. And why not, he has been running for ; more than 30 years and, on every con-- ; tinent in the world. He has found nothing but exhaustive enjoyment, and he's still not weary: At his age. sug-Ige- st J ! ning for another 10 years. His heart doctor thinks he can. From Italy where he shook hands with the Pope, to far away Australia, LaGrand has always been quick to let people know of church affiliation. Throughout his life, he has been remarkably active in the Church of Saints. He Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y and his wife Beatrice, served three e missions and during his many years he has worked in an assortment of church positions. Why is it difficult to write a life history of a person like LaGrand? Because he has enjoyed so many exciting and unforgettable experiences that he cant remember them all at one sitting. As a result, he has brought items to my attention which needed to be injected into already written sections. Im not complaining, but it does delay a bit the completion of the book. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the young owners of Digital Marketing Technologies, 900 N.400 full-tim- of faith made easier through St Chad Society's work West, North Salt Lake. Mark Manser and Tim Hunt. Both are active LDS Church members, with Manser living in Centerville and Hunt in South Ogden. DMT specializes in short run books, books, software manuals and family histories. Their digital printing equipment is the very latest available and the young compae service technicians on ny has the staff who keep their Docutechs in top condition. It was a surprise to me that when I took my book additions and a few corrections into the company's office, Manser told me to pull up a chair and sit by him so I could see how he made the corrections. He ran that complicated computerized machine with surprising ease. The changes were made in a few minutes. It was an experience I had not had the privilege of seeing with any other printing company. By the way, should you want to visit DMT printers, find their location on a map. It will save a lot of chasing around North Salt Lake. full-tim- BY TOM BUSSELBERG Clipper Today News Editor Everyone takes his or her own journey, at their own speed, in their own way especially when it comes to issues of leaving one church and joining another? Those words are borne of personal experience by Lee Shaw, now a priest in the Episcopal Church, who made the journey himself from the LDS Church in the early 1980s. It was because he felt all alone, like the only person going through this, at the time, that he and fellow Episcopal clergyman and former Latter-da- y Saint Gordon McBride organized the St. Chad Society. It was so named because St. Chad was an instrument in moving the English people from the Celtic to Roman religious tradition, Shaw explained. The group, which meets monthly at St. James Episcopal Church in Midvale, is a support and discussion group for people leaving the LDS Church, he explained. We (McBride and Shaw) felt like we were the only ones who had done it (transitioned to another church). It was lonely and frustrating. It felt good to have a safe place, to express our feelings, hopes, concerns, and hear the same from others. He emphasized that no membership records are kept and people don't have to affiliate with the Episcopal Church. It's very difficult for some people to leave the Mormon Church in Utah, especially in smaller communities because it is so enmeshed in peoples entire circle: friends, family, employer, neighbors. It's difficult to leave. That's why St. Chad is so important, he continued. Some people want to keep it a private affair as they search and talk. It's not because they're doing it in secret they just don't w ant the hassle, or to be hounded. He added that occasionally, active LDS members come to observe, because the meetings are advertised in the paper. Shaw was raised LDS, and was particularly active from junior high on.: He served a mission to Finland, attended a semester at Ricks College (LDS junior college in Rexburg. Idaho), was married in the temple, and. he added with a laugh, I even bought the wheat (referring to home food storage). As an adult, Shaw was very active in the LDS Church, serving as a ward clerk two or three times but he always had his doubts. "The process (of questioning) Museum offering exhibit of church photos from 1853 on The Museum of Church History and Art, 45 N. West Temple, is offering an exhibit, At the Center Place: of Church Photographs Headquarters, The exhibition features photographs of many of the buildings that have occupied Temple Square and the LDS Church headquarters block to 1853-199- the east since 1853. The varied uses and purposes of the buildings and their architectural styles are documented. The museum is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Call ext- - J, K . in Clearfield is among churches in the the St Chad Society. Photo by Tom Diocese Utah of that support Episcopal Busselberg Peter's Episcopal Church the spiritual, faith community? He started visiting various churches and, upon entering St. Mark's Cathedral in downtown .Salt Lake, recalled I had a sense of coming home. I requested excommunication from the Mormon Church, was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1983? Ten years later he was ordained as a deacon priest, and vicar of St. Michael's Church in Brigham City. One of the primary priorities in my ministry is the pastoral care of the individual, where they are spiritually where I or into the trine, church practice, or spiritual abuse? those are points where he will help and explore with the person. Among common reasons cited by people for wishing to leave the LDS Church are dissatisfaction over receiving bad counsel, or very common, that teachers lied about Mormon teaching or history? These people normally arent angry, they come in a sense of pain, are confused searching? While St. Chad currently is centered at St. James, sessions have been held at the Church of the Resurrection in Centerville, at St. Michael's in Brigham City, and recently at St. John's in Logan and interested people from throughout the state may attend. For a period, Shaw considered himself an apathetic agnostic, although he always believed in God. I felt like I was floating, didn't care. But eventually I realized I missed a and psychologically LDS Church? Episcopalian. He noted that same say they can't stand my bishop or relief society president, etc But I tell them that if they are leaving because of an angry person, they need to look at their relationship with that person and with people. If the issues are doc- church. can TREASURES GIFTS AND COLLECTABLES 295-225- 1, ' HOURS: MON-SA- with 131 10-- 7 T 409 SOUTH MAIN BOUNTIFUL, UTAH 84010 Religion ideas and Attorney Robyn Rowe Walton 397-130- 2 Monday. Nov. 8 1 2:00 p.m. 286 North 400 West, Kaysville Lunch included. Seating Limited. Call 0 for reservations Joanies Restaurant, 298-064- Monday. Nov. 8 6:00 p.m. 286 North 400 West, Kaysville Dinner included. Seating Limited. Joanies Restaurant, Call Special Pricing & FREE Decorative Option on ail Alpine Products! 1 7m 77re learn r tttr if. is chili & in tire air, October ix a t real t in call & i W yttar trarm & tcouilc ffttl 4 If tine ti rcftUue. Special Pricing On: 298-064- for reservations 0 Tuesday. Nov. 9 10:00 a.m. Law Offices of Parker, Thornley and Crichclow 2610 Washington Blvd., Ogden Refreshments will he served. Tuesday. Nov. 9 2:00 P.M. Law Offices of Parker, Thornley and Crichclow 2610 Washington Blvd., Ogden Refreshments will he served. Wednesday. 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Attorneys at Law Bountiful Offices Old Post Office 801-298-06- Swttwfy for reservations 0 01 (ffOl ) VWLOM4 292-123- (SOI) 298-064- Medical Issues, YW5& ST All Accessories J. feel challenged. I do not try to talk people out of COUNTRY Saturday, Sunday and most holidays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Missionary support them in their journey of faith? he said of his role with the St. Chad Society. I tell people to find a church where you feel safe, as the spirit touches your spirit, and where you began very strongly while I was on my mission. During the course of the next several years I determined that I felt very uncomfortable with Mormon teachings, doctrine, the approach of Mormonism to life. But I felt like I could make a go of it, resolve issues, he said. I was unable to reconcile myself with the doctrine of the church and to its doctrine and practices. In the meantime, he went through a divorce, which he said had only partially to do with his feelings about the TRUST VS. WILLS PV HOUDAY DECOR, COLLECTABLES, COUNTRY FURNITURE, CANDLES, GIFTS FOR EVERY OCCASION AND ACCENTS FOR YOUR HOME! LDS B Transition St. Chad helped couple switch BY TOM BUSSELBERG Clipper Today News Editor CLIPPER TODAY November 4, 1999 LK mI irf tlMMitati) Toll Free: 800-748-41- Bountiful, Utah 84010 poor |